Gary Ablett Biography

Garry Ablett snr's goal tally rises from 1030 to 1031 after an error is discovered in the historical statistics.

In Ablett's fourth League game – an 18-point win in a top-of-the-table clash with eventual grand finallist Richmond in round five, 1982 – he was credited with one goal (1.4 in fact), but footage of the game proves he actually slotted two majors.

For almost 37 years the beneficiary of the mistake was Ablett's teammate Richard Loveridge, who, the records stated, kicked three goals when his true output was two.

Gary Ablett says speaking to his father convinced him that surgery was the best option for his dislocated shoulder.

"He's had a dislocated shoulder before and we spoke about what he went through," Ablett said.

"We spoke about the short-term and long-term and felt the right decision to make was to go in for surgery.

"I didn't want to be running around in those last three weeks, running around at 50 per cent worrying if my shoulder was going to pop out again or not, and also thinking long-term as well, the rest of my football career and life after football as well.

"In the end it was an easy decision to make."

The majority of AFL coaches believe Gary Ablett jnr is a better player than his father.

The finding was part of an annual AFL Coaches' Association survey, which was conducted by AFL Media and published on AFL.com.au and in the AFL Record.

Seventy-seven per cent of the coaches said the Suns' onballer was a better player than his old man.

Gary Ablett sr says he is being stalked by a 39-year old woman who has threatened him and his children.

"She said I was delusional and that I would be dead in six months if I didn't talk to her," Ablett said.

"I tried to avoid all this. I said 'Please let me go', but she won't do it."

Reclusive superstar Gary Ablett Sr joined his two sons, Nathan and Gary Jr, at Geelong's 150th birthday celebration.

Gary Ablett Sr and Graham "Polly" Farmer are unable to attend Geelong's 150th anniversary dinner.

"I'm extremely disappointed, but unfortunately I can't make it due to a prior family commitment," Ablett said.

Gary Ablett senior has revealed a five-match suspension marked the beginning of the end of his career.

"It probably cost me another 100-goal milestone and a Coleman medal at the age of 36 and was the beginning of the decline of my career," he told the Geelong Advertiser.

"Although I still managed to kick 69 goals for the year and became fifth in the league's all-time goalkicking list, Greg Durham (then Geelong chief executive) and Gary Ayres (then Geelong coach) started pressuring me to retire.

"When I realised their attitude towards me, I realised I was on the way out."

A band of renegade Magpie fans chanted cruel insults at Geelong champ Gary Ablett about his fallen father using the words "Your dad is a murderer".

Gary Ablett Snr issues a statement denying that speaking publicly just days ago led to his son, Nathan, walking out on Geelong.

"I can tell you that Nathan's decision to consider retirement has had absolutely nothing to do with me," Ablett said adding that he took offence at Geelong coach Mark Thompson's insinuation that he was responsible for Nathan's decision.

"I find Mark Thompson's admission that Nathan's retirement may have been in part to do with my recent interview both offensive and naive, to say the least," Ablett said. "I would have expected a little more discretion and maturity from a man in his position."

Geelong legend Gary Ablett speaks for the first time about his battle with substance abuse and the death of Alisha Horan.

"I have battled with bouts of depression right throughout my life and it got to a point where I was so desperate to relieve it I started to experiment with drugs," Ablett said.

"But it was some time before I started to realise just how destructive it was, spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially. It affects every area of your life."

Ablett's new book is due to be released soon and the footballer stressed that he was speaking publicly as he did not wish to profit from the Horan incident detailed within.

"It's a football book and I don't think it's appropriate, and I don't want to be in any way profiting from that tragedy," said Ablett.